- November 2, 2024
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The picnic began with the national anthem performed by Goodwill Foundation Vice President Veronica Brandon Miller. Then Rotary Club of Sarasota President Vicente Medina welcomed guests beginning with a spotlight for the longest living pioneers in attendance, Bob Parker, 101, and Norma Martin 100.
The minimum number of years as a resident of Sarasota required to attend is 50 years. Many of the attendees have families that have called Sarasota home for generations like brother and sister Richard and Patty Bridgman who's ancestors settled in Englewood in 1894.
The also picnic serves as an unofficial reunion for the Sarasota High School class of 1965.
This year the tradition of swamp cabbage or hearts of palm was continued and served separately from the prepared meal. This allowed swamp cabbage fanatics to indulge in the rare delicacy without any being wasted.